May 2004

Ralph Simpson Beckham May 27, 2004

Ralph Simpson Beckham, 86, formerly of Prosperity, died May 27, 2004 at Springfield Place.
Mr. Beckham was born on January 11, 1918 in Newberry, a son of the late Calvin and Blanche Boozer Whitmire. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II.
Mr. Beckham graduated Suma Cum Laude and first in his class from the University of South Carolina with a B. A. Degree in French and Spanish. In 1952, he received a Bachelor’s Degree of Foreign Trade from American Institute of Foreign Trade, Phoenix, AZ. He earned a M. A. Degree from the American University in Washington, DC on teaching English as a foreign language. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Societies.
Mr. Beckham was a teacher of English as a foreign language for many years overseas and in Washington, DC. He was a loyal and dedicated member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir.
Mr. Beckham is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Harold Beckham
Funeral services for Ralph Simpson Beckham will be conducted at 3:00 Sunday at St Luke’s Episcopal Church by the Rev. David Stewart. Burial will be in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Winnsboro.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 2:45 P.M. Sunday at the church prior to the funeral services.
Memorials may be to the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1605 Main St., Newberry SC 29108 or to the charity of one choice’s.
Ralph will be remembered for his intellect, humor, and generous spirit. He will be missed by his many friends and family.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Lolan L. Koon May 26, 2004

Lolan L. Koon, 91, formerly of Pomaria, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at J. F. Hawkins Healthcare.
Mr. Koon was born on August 15, 1912 in Newberry County, a son of the late Eusebius Holland and Lula Mae Bowers Koon. He was a life long shoe repairman and merchant in the town of Pomaria. He was a member of Pomaria Lutheran Church, having served on the congregational council for many terms, and was the superintendent of Sunday school for a number of years. He was a charter member of the Pomaria Fire Department where he served until his retirement and a charter member of the Pomaria Ruritan Club.
Mr. Koon is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Larry O. and Jenny W. Koon; a sister, Lessie Koon Long; a brother, Eric C. Koon, all of Pomaria; grandchildren and spouses, Terry and Sallie Koon of Chapin; and Michael and Karen Rumfelt of Pomaria; and great-grandchildren, Rebekah Koon, Zachary Koon, and Stephen Rumfelt. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruby Oxner Koon who died on October15, 1980, and by two brothers, Rupert E. Koon and Eldridge B. Koon.
Funeral services for Lolan L. Koon will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Saturday at Pomaria Lutheran Church by the Rev. Dr. Mary Havens. Interment will be in Pomaria Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 P. M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence, 311 Holloway Street, Pomaria.
Memorials may be made to Pomaria Lutheran Church, PO Box 246, Pomaria, SC 29126 or to the Pomaria Fire Department, 1653 Peak Road, Pomaria, SC 29126
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

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L. Hubert Ruff May 24, 2004

L. Hubert Ruff, 75, of 3176 Deadfall Rd., Newberry, died Monday, May 24, 2004 at White Oak Manor.
Mr. Ruff was born on September 11, 1928 in Newberry, a son of the late Silas L. “Bud”and Lois Bozard Ruff. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and the recipient of the Purple Heart. He was a retired cattle farmer and he was a former member of the Silverstreet Young Farmers. He was a member of Glenn St. Baptist Church, the Silverstreet Ruritan Club, the Woodman of the World.
Mr. Ruff is survived by his wife, Edith Sutton Ruff of the home; a daughter, Becky Ruff of Newberry; a brother and sister-in-law, Odell and Lynn Ruff of Newberry; a granddaughter, Natashia Ruff of Newberry; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for L. Hubert Ruff will be conducted at 2:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Todd Kirkland and the Rev. Marion Ringer. Interment will be in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence, 3176 Deadfall Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be to Glenn St. Baptist Church, 300 Glenn St., Newberry SC 29108 or to Newberry Dialysis Center, 2041 Medical Park Dr., Newberry SC 29108
Active pallbearers will be Frank Bartley, Paul Sutton, Kenny Ruff, Dell Ruff, Joshua Ruff, Howard Ruff, Greg Culbertson, and Mike Longshore.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Silverstreet Ruritan Club.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

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Jack R. Kesler May 18, 2004

Jack R. Kesler, 66, of 601 Harold Bowers Road, Newberry, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at the Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Kesler was born on April 23, 1938 in Newberry County, a son of the late Henry Adam and Dessie Kilgore Kesler. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and retired from Champion International Corporation. He was a member of the Silverstreet Volunteer Fire Department, the Newberry County Cattlemen Association, the Saluda County Cattlemen Association, the American Angus Association, the International Brangus Association, the South Carolina Forestry Association, and a former member of the South Carolina National Guards.
Mr. Kesler is survived by his wife, Vivian Knight Kesler of the home; a daughter and son-in-law; Sandra and Keith Brown of Newberry; a sister, Ann K. Senn of Newberry; four brothers, John Kesler, Ned Kesler, and Fred Kesler all of Newberry, and Joe Kesler of Prosperity; a grandson, Kody Brown of Newberry. He was predeceased by a son, Daniel C.”Danny” Kesler and two brothers, Jerry Kesler, and James W. “Jimmy” Kesler; and a sister Millie K. Livingston.
Funeral services for Jack R. Kesler will be conducted at 3:00 PM Thursday at Bethany Lutheran Church by the Rev. Ronald Smith. Interment will be in Newberry Memorial Gardens
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence, 601 Harold Bowers Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 2704 Nance St., Newberry, SC 29108.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

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Margaret Paysinger May 17, 2004

Margaret Paysinger, 87, of formerly of 1507 College St., Newberry, died Monday, May 17, 2004 at Springfield Place in Newberry.
Dr. Paysinger was born on April 10, 1917 in Newberry, a daughter of the late James Ernest and Fairer Tompkins Paysinger.
She taught for 52 years, first in the public schools and then at Newberry College, where she was named Professor of English Emeritus on her retirement. She was a graduate of Newberry College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1984 Newberry College conferred upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for over fifty years. She was an active participant in the civic and cultural affairs of the community.
Dr. Paysinger is survived by two sisters, Sara Shealy and Annie Blanche Wilson, both of Newberry; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside funeral services for Margaret Paysinger will be conducted at 4:00 P. M. Friday in Rosemont Cemetery by the Rev. Steven B. Counts.
Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Growing in Grace Building Fund, PO Box 382,Newberry SC 29108 or to the Newberry College Women’s League, 2100 College St. Newberry SC 29108 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College St., Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

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Ellie Price McCravy May 9, 2004

Ellie Price McCravy, 101, formerly of 5735 Mt. Bethel Garmany Road, Newberry, widow of Joe McCravy, died Sunday, May 9, 2004 in White Oak Manor.
Mrs. McCravy was born on July 21, 1902 in Newberry County, a daughter of the late Sim and Lizzie Crosson Price. She was the former owner of McCravy Grocery Store in Coronaca and she was a member of the Newberry A. R. Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. McCravy is survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Ellie Price McCravy will be conducted at 3:00 P. M. Wednesday in Bethlehem Cemetery in Coronaca by the Rev. Tim Erskine.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:00 P. M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. The family will be the residence of Beth Folk, 5155 Mt. Bethel Garmany Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be to the Newberry A. R. Presbyterian Church, 1701 Main St., Newberry SC 29108 or to the charity of one choice’s.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry is assisting the family.

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I. Charles Riddle May 5, 2004

Irving Charles Riddle, 72, of 905 Mt. Bethel Garmany Road, died Wednesday, May 05, 2004.
Mr. Riddle was born on August 8, 1932 in Newberry County, a son of the late Jimmie Lee and Vera Metts Riddle. He was an U. S. Air Force veteran and former owner of Riddle Sheet Metal. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, former vice-chairman of congregational council and a member of the Adult Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Amity Masonic Lodge #87.
Mr. Riddle is survived by wife, Nathaline Knight Riddle of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Beth Riddle and Ronnie and Paula Riddle, all of Prosperity; Alan and Melody Riddle of Moncks Corner; two sisters, Sue Brown of Piedmont and Gladys Brooks of Greenwood; four brothers, Claude Riddle, Roy Riddle, and Loy Riddle, all of Newberry, Derrill Riddle of Tuscon, AZ; and six grandchildren, Laurie, Brandon, Tiffany, Christine, Amber, and Maggie Riddle. He was predeceased by three brothers, Robert Riddle, John Riddle and George Riddle.
Funeral services for I. Charles Riddle will be conducted at 4:00 P. M. Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church by the Rev. Ronald Smith. Interment will be in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:30 P. M. Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence, 905 Mt. Bethel Garmany Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 2704 Nance Street, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers will Gary Riddle, Bill Riddle, Keith Brown, Randy Ware, Eddie Trammell, Brandon Riddle, Robin Hazel and Clyde Walters.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Bush River High School Class of 1952.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

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